I must say I have been fortunate all my
life to have been surrounded by great leaders in my community... A community
that has exposed me to so much political, social and economic diversity in
growth and development.
My name is Linda Magano Baumann, a young
girl who grew up in the dusty streets of owambo location... A neighbourhood
that firmly had us all as one because our parents worked as a collective and
believed in community disciplining yet a lot of great memories have remained as
values in our lives.
Upon receiving the notice of Tatekulu-
there was this collective of many of us wandering the street to confirm... And
upon reflection on the silence and further no movement from our neighbour's
home - Meme Ester Shikongo -- who is sister to Tatekulu... the news came
through that he is indeed gone. this had us all walk back to our spaces and
there it was, silence...
As I grew up partly in their home, I
also had an experience of having been told stories by Kuku mother to Tatekulu
Ya Toivo. In those moments Meme Ester would contextualize the story as Kuku was
very old and if my memory serves me well she was in her early 90s.
In 1990 and until this day I remember
Tatekulu Ya Toivo used to visit Meme Ester with his convoy of vehicles parked
outside- with so much security all over, however over the years the number of
cars and security reduced until he would only come with one car.
As we used to play in the street and his
car (s) drove down the road we all stood still watching the protocol of his
door being opened – as he would emerge from the car he would look up the road
left and then right again as the house is right in the centre of the street. He
would look at us and in that very moment our voices would simultaneously say "Uugrapo
Tatekulu" and he would smile and say “ja ja - play play every day. You must read your books so that you can stop
playing in the sand and have good roads” then we all would go “yes Sir!” he
would laugh and say "Look at you all young, beautiful mara I know I can run
the fastest- don't be fooled by my grey hair" we would all laugh as he
continued into the house for his visit...
I also have memories of him visiting my
mother - and as he walked in he would say - "Hello- hello, waar is Baumann?"
My mom would respond from the other end saying "Hey Toivo- wat soek jy in
my huis? - he would respond "Baumann jy sal niks se nie- dis my huis
ook" and then they both would laugh and go into their own world of
bonding...
Over the years I heard his life story
from many Stalwarts, family members and the country at large... I have
experienced Tatekulu at a personal level and at an intellectual level as he
mastered his tales of engagement.
His departure has torn so much within me
as his personality, his energy and charismatic firm position in all his actions
have shaped, crafted and structured so much in my life. Today I know that the
wife, children, family, friends and the nation at large shed a tear and feel
the pain because he is no more with us however what remains significant is his
role in many of our lives and his memory that is filled with a legacy that only
a Great Legend has lived and shared.
I can only celebrate his life within this
moment of sadness as this hollow feeling shall be filled with all those lessons
which are a reminder that we are all bigger and better in everything we do.
May your SOUL rest in eternity
and POWER...
By: Linda RM Baumann
12 June 2017
17h49
